The Longsword of Paulus Hector Mair Part 1

Paulus Hector Mair was an avid collector of Fechtbucher/Fencing Manuals. He eventually

undertook the task of producing a large Fechtbuch of his own that brought together material

from various sources in his collection. Several variations of this work were made. This was an

expensive undertaking, since each one was hand-made and heavily illustrated by talented

artists of the day. Mair was employed as a government official by the city of Augsburg and was

driven to embezzle municipal funds in order to bankroll his projects. He was hung for this in

1579.

The material you see here are my translations from the edition of Mair’s Fechtbuch that is in

the collection of the Sachsische Landesbibliothek in Dresden Germany. It is dated to 1540 and

is in two volumes, labeled as C93 and C94. It is one of the most artistically illustrated

Fechtbucher known. The Longsword section is found in C93, which the SLUB has put up on-line

here:

http://digital.slub-dresden.de/sammlungen/titeldaten/275428508/

Mair has an extensive section on the Longsword consisting of 120 illustrated plates. I have

divided my translation of this section into three parts, with the third part being his

Halfswording techniques. Mair owned a manuscript that is now often referred to as the Codex

Wallerstein. A large portion of his Longsword is drawn from this manual. He also owned

several works by an Augsburg Fencing Master named Jorg Wilhelm Huter. So it is likely that the

Longsword sections from these works also influenced Mair. Mair’s Longsword is clearly in the

Lichtenauer tradition, but departs from it in some interesting ways. I will produce a detailed

analysis of Mair’s Longsword method once the translating task is completed.

The page numbers reflect the numbering of the plates in the PDF scan of the Longsword section

of the Dresden version of Mair’s Fechtbuch.

The following translation is copyright November 2011 by Keith P. Myers. It can be used freely

with appropriate credit given.

Keith P. Myers

Meyer Freifechter Guild

The Zornhaw against the Thrust 1/47

It happens that you stand with the Zornhaw (Wrath Strike) with the left foot forward.

Then follow after with the right and hit him strongly from above to the left side. If he

deflects this, then strike nimbly to the next opening.

If he strikes you wrathfully like this, then wind against the Zornhaw in the Hanging Point

and let your point properly go forward shooting in (Einschiessen) to the face or chest. If

he perceives this thrust, then drive with the sword well up over your head, spring with

your right foot to his left side and cut him with the Zwirchhaw (Across Strike) to the

head.

If he strikes towards your head like this with the Zwirchhaw with crossed arms, then

displace this with your long edge, then immediately yank back your sword (as in

illustration) and wind your point from your left side to his face or chest.

The Krumphaw from Both Sides 2/48

When you come to the closing with the opponent, set the left foot forward and hold your

sword with the point at your right side and remain hence standing in the Krumphaw

(Crooked/Off-line strike). If he then strikes you from above to an opening, step outward

with your right foot and give him a Krump to his right side and strike him at the nearest

opening.

If he gives you a Krump like this and you stand with your right foot forward likewise in

the Krumphaw, then step in with your left leg and displace his strike with your long

edge. Then immediately follow outward with the right foot and drop a Krump onto his

sword with your short edge and with that cut through his head.

The Zwirchhaw from Both Sides 3/49

When you come to the closing with the opponent, stand with the right foot forward such

that the short edge is wound towards you. Then follow outward with your left leg and

strike the Zwirchhaw with crossed arms. If he displaces this, then wind in the weak and

strike him long to the upper opening.

If rather you stand with the left foot forward and likewise lie against him in the Zwirch

with crossed arms, then follow outward with your right foot and turn your hand so that

the flat of the sword stands in front of him and strike with the Zwirch in towards his left

ear. If he displaces your Zwirch, then let a double feint pass and strike him to the top of

his head on the right side.

The Schillerhaw (Squinting Strike) from Both Sides 4/50

When you come to the closing with the opponent, set your left leg out in front such that

the short edge is wound under. Then step out with your right foot, wind your pommel

beneath your right arm and set upon him with the point.

If he sets upon you with the point like this, then displace it and immediately wind in the

Zwirch, hang with your sword against the Zwirch on your right side and step out with the

left foot. Then wind the point in between his arms such that the short edge stays on top

(as in illustration).

If he winds his point in between your arms like this, then set this aside with your long

edge. With that press downward and let the weak run and strike him with the long edge

to his head.

Schaitlerhaw (Vertex Strike) 5/51

Stand with the left leg in front and lift your sword above your head with extended arms

(as in illustration). Then spring in towards him with the right foot and strike with the long

edge directly to the top of his head. Then sink the point downward to his face or chest.

When he then does the Schaitler to you, displace it with the Kron (Crown) such that the

point and the hilt of your sword both stand above you.

If he then fires out to thrust the point upwards towards you, wind your sword through

under his Kron with the edge against his arm and with that cut him over both of his

arms.

If he cuts over your arms like this, then step back with your right foot and set his cut

aside with the Krumphaw with your short edge and with that cut to his right side.

The Ochs from Both Sides 6/52

It happens like this in the Ochs (Ox). Stand with the left foot forward and hold your

sword with crosswise hands above your head. Then wind and step with your right foot

to his right side. If he perceives this Upper Hanger, then strike in the Zwirchhaw with

crossed arms.

If he strikes the Zwirch towards you like this, displace it and immediately wind and hang

the point towards the face or chest. Then strike in strongly from above to his head. If

he displaces this, strike the double feint, then immediately quickly take (the opening)

before you from which to work a strike, thrust or cut.

If you then stand with the right foot opposite him and he works quickly at you, then set

this aside with doubled cuts on both sides and immediately strike with the Zwirch with

crossed arms to the right side of his head. If he displaces the Zwirch with the long

edge, then let off and strike with the short edge from above.

The Pflug from Both Sides 7/53

Step in towards the opponent with the right foot and hang the sword at your left side.

Then drive up with the hilt over your head, step across with your left leg, and strike the

Zwirch. If he perceives the Zwirch and displaces it, then spring across with your right

leg and strike to the top of the head.

But if you stand opposite him in the Pflug (Plow) and he does the Schaitlerhaw to you,

then wind upwards into the Prechfennster (Speaking Window) so that you are looking

out through the arms and your right foot stands forward. Then drop down and strike in

with the half edge to the left ear.

If he strikes you like this, then displace it with your long edge and then immediately wind

with your point to his left face or chest. Then let off (Ablassen) with your sword, step

with the left foot in front of his right, and strike from above to his head.

The Alber and the Guard Vom Tag 8/54

Stand with your left foot forward with outstretched arms such that the point is directed at

the ground and the short edge is up (Alber/Fool, at left of illustration). Then fly up with

your sword with crossed arms in front of your head in the Versazung (Parry Position),

step in with your right leg, and shove the point into the left side of his face.

If you should perceive this thrust and stand with your right foot opposite him in the guard

vom Tag (from the Roof, at right side of illustration), then take away the thrust with a

Krumphaw and strike with the Zwirch. Then immediately drop down and cut through the

face.

If you perceive that he intends to cut you like this, then push away his cut with your long

edge and immediately wind with your point towards the left side of his face or chest.

Then follow with the left foot in front of his right and strike his right forearm.

If he strikes towards your arm like this, displace it with the long edge, step with your left

foot in front of his right, and let the weak of your sword run and strike him to the top of

his head.

The Strong and Weak with Which to Instantly Note Evenness 9/55

You stand with the right foot forward and bind his sword with your Schweche (weak).

Then determine whether he is soft or hard at his sword. When he is soft at the sword

drop down on his left side, step out with your left leg, and Zuck (yank) all hits you will

throw at the opponent.

When you stand opposite him likewise in the weak and he does the Zucken (yank)

against you, then step back with your right foot and strike a Creizhaw (Crossing Strike)

to his right ear. If he displaces your Creizhaw, then drop down and shoot the point

double to the face and with that strike his head from above.

If he hits towards your head like this, then do not displace this. Rather step away from

the strike to his right side and Zwirch to his head.

A Nachraisen (Traveling After) with a Cut 10/56

You stand with your left foot forward in the Unterhau (Upward Strike) and he adheres to

your hands from above (as in illustration). So step outward with your right foot and drop

a Krump on him at your left side.

If he drops a Krump on you and you stand with your left foot forward, then drop down

quickly and step out with your right leg. With that strike him from above to the right side

of his head. When he displaces this, strike him from below to his left side with your long

edge. Then immediately step back and strike him from above a long one to the head. If

he travels after, then set the point in his chest. If he sets aside your point, then strike

with extended arms back away from him.

If he strikes back away from you like this, then travel after him double with cuts and

strikes from above and below, whatever he makes you do.

Another Nachraisen 11/57

When you stand with your left foot forward, step outward with your right foot and strike

from your right shoulder with an extended blow to his head.

If he strikes a long one like this to your head and you stand with your left foot forward,

then adhere to him with the short edge, step outward with the right foot and wind to his

left ear such that the hilt stands in front of your head. Should he perceive the winding

and displace it, then hang and pass through with your sword and strike him to the

nearest opening.

If he seeks your opening like this, then strike against him with your long edge and set

this aside below and above, extend your trunk and arms well and seek with your point

the opening at his face or chest. Then immediately strike a Zwirch to his head with

crossed arms.

If he does the Zwirch towards you like this, then displace it with your long edge and

wind the short edge to his left ear. Then yank your right foot back once again and strike

to his right ear.

A Nachraisen with the Hangenden Ort 12/58

Stand with your left foot forward and strike in from your left shoulder to the right side of

his head.

When he then strikes like this towards you and you stand with your right foot forward,

drop into the Hangenden Ort (Hanging Point) (as in illustration) and let the weak of your

sword pass, then spring in behind his right side and hit to his head. If he displaces this,

Doplier (double) high and Muntier (transform) low and set the point on his neck.

If he sets upon you with his point like this, then push him away with your long edge,

follow with your right leg outward and strike from below to his right arm. If he displaces

this, then step with your left foot in front of his right and hit him with a double Feler

(feint) to the top of his head.

If he strikes high towards you like this, then displace him and wind with your short edge

at his left ear. Then immediately run off and strike around again to his left side with your

long edge.

Another Nachraisen 13/59

When you stand with your right foot forward hold your sword extended in front of your

face such that the short edge stands towards you and step out with your left leg as you

wind to his chest. If he displaces the point, then yank back and strike from above to the

next opening.

If he then strikes you like this, set your left foot forward and spring with your right foot

well to his left side and drop in with the Creuzhaw. If he displaces this, then step back

with your right leg and strike to his left arm.

If he strikes you like this, then displace this with the Krumphaw such that it adheres on

your sword. Then immediately step outward with the right foot and strike high to his

head.

If he strikes high towards you like this, then set this aside with the Krump with your short

edge on your right side, and with that cut into the upper opening.

A Nachraisen from the Right Side 14/60

You stand with your right foot forward and hold your sword at your chest with the point

opposite his face (left side of illustration), then step in with your left leg and guard

yourself with crossed arms in the Versazung (Parry/Ready Position). Then step

outward with your right foot and strike high to his right side.

If he strikes high towards you like this and you stand with your right foot forward, the

sword on your right side with extended arms to fire amidst the opponent (right side of

illustration), then step outward with your left foot and hold the hilt in front of your head

such that the point stands to the rear with crossed arms, and strike to his right side. If

he displaces this, then travel to his left side with your short edge and then immediately

wind upward with the Rose on his sword and strike with the Zwirch with crossed arms to

the right side of his head.

A High and a Low Nachraisen 15/61

You stand with your left leg forward and your sword at your right chest with the long

edge turned towards the opponent (as in illustration). Step in with your right leg, drop

down on his left side and strike him there with your long edge.

You then stand with the right foot forward, so take away the strike with the half edge,

follow outward with the left leg and strike to his right ear. Should he perceive this strike

and displace it, wind the Zwirch to his left side and then immediately drop down and

strike him again to the left side.

If he strikes double towards you like this, displace this with your long edge, then

immediately step outward with your right leg and cut to his neck with the short edge.

With that turn the long edge on him and cut to his head and his body.

An Uberlauffen (Running Over) with a Sword Capture 16/62

You do an extended strike while stepping in with the right leg and he likewise strikes in

high. Step outward with your left leg, wind your pommel to your right side in over his

arm (Uberlauffen) and jerk inward to your right side so that you capture his sword (as in

illustration).

If he intends to capture your sword like this, then set your left leg in front of his right,

release your sword to him and forcefully and quickly thrust to his left shoulder as you

jerk his right leg backwards with your left. Thus you throw him forward onto his face.

If he will throw you onto your face like this, then yank your right leg at once towards you

and step behind your left as you cut to his head.

If he intends to cut you like this and has both swords, then grab his left elbow with your

right hand and his left knee with your left hand. Thus you throw him over and over.

An Uberlauffen with a Sword Capture 17/63

Step in with the right leg and strike him directly to the head, then follow outward with

your left leg and strike to his right side.

If he strikes towards you like this, then wind your pommel in over his arm as you pivot to

your left side (Uberlauffen), thus you capture his sword (as in illustration).

If he intends to capture your sword like this, then set your right foot in front of his left

and quickly throw him. Or set your left hand high upon him and yank the right against

you. Thus you lock his arm.

If he will lock your arm like this, then let your sword drop, grab his right hand with your

left and under his right shoulder with your right and capture him at the shoulder. Thus

you may throw him or carry him away with an armlock.

The Oberhaw with the Sword Capture 18/64

When you come to the closing with the opponent, set your right leg forward, follow

outward with the right leg and strike long to his head.

If you strikes towards you like this and you stand with your left foot forward, then

displace his Oberhaw (Downward Strike), step outward with your right foot or leg and

grab inward over his right arm with your left to his hilt (as in illustration). Then travel

towards your left side so that his sword is captured.

If he has captured your sword like this, then set your left hand on his right elbow and the

right on his left, and with that shove him away from you.

If he shoves you away from him like this, then let both swords drop and immediately

spring turning backwards, run your pommel between his legs with extended arms, and

with that lift upward and stand him on his head.

A High and a Low Thrust 19/65

Stand with your right foot forward and fire the point at the opponent from your left side to

his chest. Should he perceive this thrust and displace it, then wind him the Zwirch with

your left leg in, step with the left foot around to your right side and strike to his left ear.

If he strikes towards you like this, then block his Zwirch such that your left foot is

forward (as in illustration) and strike high to his head. If he displaces this, then wind the

point to his face or chest. Should he perceive this thrust, then wind him the hanging

point such that your right foot stands forward and strike with the Zwirch to the left side of

his head.

If he strikes towards you like this, then displace this with the Krumphaw (also matches

illustration) and immediately cut to his head.

If you should perceive a cut like this, then cut at this right side and immediately step

back with your right foot and wind the Zwirch to his left ear.

A High Winding with an Oberhaw 20/66

Stand with your right foot forward and strike to his upper opening.

If he strikes against you like this, then displace him and wind the short edge at his right

ear (as in illustration). If he displaces this, then wind opposite him in the hanging point

and then go against him with a Schaitlerhaw. He displaces this, so drop out of the

Schaitler and immediately Krumphaw and cut him through his mouth or wherever you

want.

Should you perceive this cut, then set the Krump on his sword again. With that you

have broken his cut and may also cut to his head.

When he has broken your cut like this and cuts towards your head, step back with the

left leg and wind the hilt out in front of your head and immediately strike to his right side.

A High and a Low Einschiessen (Shooting In) 21/67

So you stand with your right foot forward and he is opposite you with his left and shoots

the point in against your face or chest. Strike high over his position to his head (as in

illustration), then step outward with your left leg, hang and with that wind to the next

opening.

If he then hangs and winds towards your head, step with your right leg in front of his left

and strike towards the left side. If he should perceive this strike, then step back with

your left leg and wind him the hanging point such that your hilt stands before your head.

Then immediately step in with your left leg again and wind him your point with crossed

hands from your left towards the right side of his face. If he displaces this, then follow

outward with your right leg and strike him high directly with your long edge.

A Thrust with the Pflug Abzunemen (Parry Position) 22/68

You stand with your left foot forward with arms extended in front of your face such that

the point stands opposite your opponent. Then step outward with your right foot and

wind the point into his face.

Should you stand opposite him in the Pflug with the right foot forward and perceive this

thrust (as in illustration), then follow outward with your left foot and wind the point out on

your right side and then strike him at the upper opening. Should he perceive this strike

and displace it, then strike with the Zwirch to his right side with crossed arms.

If he strikes towards your right side like this, set your right foot forward and hang the

blade at the right side so that he strikes it. Then immediately follow outward with your

left leg and strike to his upper opening.

If he strikes high towards you like this, displace this with your long edge as you drive out

in front of your head. Then set the edge on his left arm near your crossguard and with

that shove him on his right side. Thus you may cut him as well.

Two Thrusts from which One goes into Winding 23/69

You stand with the right foot forward and fire the point at the opponent (as in

illustration). Then follow outward with your left leg and wind the point in the face or

chest with extended arms. If he displaces this, then step backwards with your left leg

and wind into the Prechfennster (Speaking Window) such that your hilt stands before

your head.

If he lies in the Prechfennster like this, wind the point in his face out of the Rosen (Rose)

such that your right foot stands forward, then step outward with your left leg, set your

right foot behind his left and wind with the short edge to his head. Then immediately

strike with the long edge to his right arm.

If he strikes towards your right arm like this, follow outward with your left foot and set a

Krump onto his sword and with that cut to his head and body.

Should he cut towards you like this, then bite another Krump and with that strike to his

next opening.

A Durchlauffen (Run Through) with a Ringen (Grapple) 24/70

When you come to the closing with the opponent, strike high to his head as you step

inward with your right foot in front of his right. If he displaces this, then let your sword

fall over behind your back, run your head through his right arm, grab with your right

hand around his body towards his left side and with your left hand to the back of his

right knee (as in illustration before dropping sword). Thus you throw him.

If you will break this, then let your sword fall and drop your right arm high over his left.

Thus you may lift him with that.

If he has grabbed you like this, then yank your right leg back, release your right hand

from his body and grab behind his right knee with it. Then thrust with your left hand into

his chest. Thus you throw him back.

A Zucken (Yank/Snatch) to Half Sword with a Thrust 25/71

You stand with your left foot forward and hold your sword in front of your head with

crossed arms, the point opposite his face (as in illustration), then step outward with your

right foot and wind the point to his face or chest.

If he winds one towards you like this, then stand with your right foot forward and set

aside the thrust Krumb on his right side.

If he then sets aside your thrust Krumb, yank your sword towards you to half blade and

shoot the thrust in again towards his face with the short edge. If he displaces this, then

step outward with your left foot and strike him a long one high to the next opening.

If he strikes a long one towards you like this, then displace this with your long edge,

follow outward with your left leg and strike him with the Zwirch with crossed hands to his

right arm.

A Grappling at the Sword with a Throw 26/72

You come to the opponent at the closing, so set your left leg between his feet, release

the left hand from your sword, grab him below his left arm around his body towards his

left side, and trap him at the hip and carry him away (as in illustration) or throw him from

you onto his face.

If you would counter this, then drop your left hand around his neck and your right hand

around his left foot. Thus you may likewise throw him.

A Thrust out of the Hacken (Leg Hook) 27/73

When you come to the opponent at the closing, step in with your right foot and strike

high to his head.

If he then strikes one like this towards you, displace it and yank his right leg towards you

with your left (the Hacken or Leg Hook). Then release the left hand from your sword, go

in under his right arm and set upon his chin. With that thrust him high away from you

(as in illustration).

If he then sets upon your chin like this and will throw you, let your sword drop and take

the right arm and set it on his left elbow. Then grab his left hand with your left hand in

front and pivot to the right side. Thus you lock the arm.

If he would lock your arm and you have the sword in your right hand, then thrust with

your pommel to his right elbow. Thus you throw your left arm free.

An Entry with a Grapple 28/74

You come to the closing with the opponent, so set your right leg forward and strike high

and long to his head. Then release your left hand from your sword and set it on his right

elbow, follow outward with your left leg and shove him away from you.

If he shoves you away from him like this and you stand with your left foot forward, then

drop your left arm onto his right (as in illustration) and wind his right arm under your

shoulder. Set your right front in front of his left, go under his neck with your right arm,

and wrench your sword pommel downward.

If he intends to wrench you downward with his pommel, then press with your neck so

that he wrenches around further. Then immediately drop your pommel over his left arm,

take it again low with your left hand and with that push strongly downward. Thus you

cut him through his head.

When you come to the closing with the opponent Zwirch high to his head with your long

edge, then let your sword drop and grab between his arms with your right hand to his

neck around on his right side. Then immediately step with your left leg behind his left

and yank low towards yourself (as in illustration). With that throw him to your right side.

If he has trapped you like this high and low and intends to throw you, then press his arm

with your arms together. Thus you counter him.

If he has trapped your arm like this and intends to counter you, then step inward with

your right foot in front of his left and immediately pull your arm powerfully from him and

take his sword out of his hand. With that turn to your right side and cut him with the

long edge from above.

An Uberlauffen with a Grapple 30/76

When you go to close with the opponent stand with your left foot forward and strike him

with a Krump. Then follow outward with your right leg and Zwirch to the other side.

Should he perceive your Zwirch and displace it, drop both your hands between his arms

such that your right hand stands high on his hilt and pass your left hand under his right

around to the pommel. With that pull him towards you.

If he then pulls you towards himself like this, step with your right foot behind his left and

let your sword drop. Then grab with your left hand under his left thigh and with your

right forward on his neck. Then immediately throw him swiftly behind you.

A Grapple with a Cut 31/77

When you go to close with the opponent stand with your right foot forward and strike

him to the top of the head.

If he then strikes against you, displace this and strike him with crossed arms in towards

the right side of his head.

If he then strikes you one like this, displace his strike, let your sword drop and step

outward with your right foot in front of his right. He lets his sword drop to cut through

the face or wherever he may, so grab his right elbow with your right hand and with your

left forward on the same (as in illustration). Thus with that you lock his arm. Then

immediately yank towards yourself so you may also throw him.

An Underhaw with a Sword Capture 32/78

When you come to the opponent at the closing, strike with the Underhaw (low strike)

stepping forward with your right foot such that the long edge stands upwards, then

follow outward with your left leg and shoot the point double to the face or chest. If he

displaces the thrust, then drop down in the Underhaw such that your hilt stands before

your head.

If he stands like this in front of you, then set the Krump on his sword such that your right

foot stands forward, grab both blades with your left hand high in front (as in illustration)

and with that pull from your right to your left side. Thus you capture his sword.

If he intends to capture your sword like this, release it, step outward with your right leg,

grab his right elbow with your left hand and the back of his right knee with your right

hand and with that lift directly upwards. Thus you thrust him backwards.

An Einfallen (Dropping In) with a Cut 33/79

You strike with the Windthaw (winding/turning strike) and then turn out of it into a low

cut towards his right side.

Should you perceive this cut, step in with your right foot and shove the cut out with your

long edge. As you do this drop your long edge between his hands onto the hilt and

immediately invert the right hand and sweep his sword down with the half blade the

same as yours (as in illustration) and subsequently yank it out of his hands. Then cut in

high or low and you have both swords.

If he will then cut like this towards you and has both swords held together, release your

hands from your sword and step behind his right leg with your left and grab his waist

with extended arms. Thus you throw him with both swords together.

A Cut through the Hand 34/80

You come to the closing with the opponent, so set your right leg forward and from here

you will strike to the high opening. Then immediately drop down and strike again low to

his right side. If he displaces this, then step behind his right leg with your left and wind

the Zwirch out to strike to his high opening such that your hilt stands in front of your

head.

If he then strikes high towards you like this and you stand with your right foot forward,

release your right hand from your hilt and grab with it to the half blade and with the left

hand pull up to the cross. With that displace his strike on the sword blade between your

hands and sweep his sword blade low and high with both your hands (as in illustration),

then with that turn to your left side so that you cut him.

Two Cuts from Above and from Below 35/81

When you come to the closing with the opponent stand with your right foot forward and

strike him with the Wechsel (Changing strike). Then wind into the right Fligelhaw

(Flying strike) such that your hilt stands in front of your head. Set upon him with the cut

to his left side over both of his arms.

If he has set upon you with a cut like this, then step in with your left leg and set your

strong outward onto both of his arms (as in illustration). Thus you counter his low cut

with your high. Then follow outward with your right foot and drop a Krump over his arm.

If he does a Krump to you like this, then let the weak of your sword run, step in with your

left foot and strike with the long edge high to his head. Then turn your short edge on his

neck and shove him away from you. Thus he may come to no more work before you.

Two Lannge Orter (Longpoint) out of the Long Cut 36/82

When you come to the opponent step in with your right leg and strike him with your long

edge to his right arm (as in illustration). If he displaces this, then wind into the Hanging

Point such that the hilt stands in front of your head, step to your left side with your left

foot and strike him with the Creizhaw (Crossing strike) to his right side with crossed

arms.

If he strikes against you like this and you stand with your left foot forward, set his strike

aside with the short edge, follow outward with your right foot and strike to the top of his

head.

If he strikes towards your high opening like this and you stand with your left foot

forward, displace this with your long edge, follow outward with your right leg and Zwirch

him to the left side of his head.

Should you perceive this strike coming around, take it away with the Krumphaw and

strike high to his head with the long cut.

A High Cut with the Schaitler 37/83

When you come to the closing with the opponent step forward with your left foot and

strike a long one over both of his arms to his right side (as in illustration, though it shows

the attack to the wrong side). Thus you may cut him low or high.

If he then strikes towards you one like this and you stand with your left foot forward,

then take the cut away with a Krumphaw at your left side and with that cut him through

the head.

If he cuts through your head like this, then drop another Krump on him and then likewise

cut through his head on his right side. If he displaces this further, then take a double

Feler (feint) to both sides and then immediately strike with crossed arms to his right ear.

Should you perceive this strike, displace it with the long edge, let the weak of your

sword run, and with that strike to his right arm. Then step back and wind into the

Hanging Point, immediately follow outward with the left leg and stick the point into his

chest.

Another High Cut 38/84

Stand with your left foot forward and strike a long one like this over both of his arms

near his right ear (as in illustration). Then follow outward with your right foot and strike

a Zwirch to his left side. If you have then struck the Zwirch, yank your sword free up

over your head and make as if you will strike to the top of his head. Then immediately

step with your left leg around to his right side and cut over his arm.

If he cuts over your arm like this, displace this cut with the long edge, turn the sword

with the short edge onto his blade and with that strike to his head.

Should you perceive this strike, displace it with your long edge and immediately shoot to

his face or chest out of the Ochsen (Ox) with crossed arms. If he displaces this, then

spring with your left foot onto his left side and strike with the Zwirch to his head.

An Inverting Cut with an Ansezen (Set Upon) 39/85

When you both come together at the closing stand with your left foot forward and take

care of the opening over his left arm with your cut and set upon him with the long edge

such that the cross stands on his elbow. Then shove him away from you (as in

illustration).

If he then shoves you away like this, take your left leg and pivot to your right. Thus you

go out of the cut. With that strike high to the right side of his head such that your left leg

comes forward again. Then immediately follow outward with your right foot again and

strike to his head with the long edge out of the stance vom Tag (from the roof). If he

displaces this, then strike his right arm with a Fligelhaw (flying strike) from below. If he

travels after the strike and will shove it away, then strike him to the high opening with

your short edge.

If he strike towards you like this and you stand with your left foot forward, Zwirch to the

right side of his head.

Another Inverting Cut 40/86

When you both come together at the closing take note of the level of the opening at his

arm and set upon him with your long edge on his right shoulder and your cross below

his right shoulder and with this shove him out in front of you.

If he shoves you away like this and you have your hands crossed in front of your head

(as in illustration), then step out in front of you with your right leg, pivot backwards with

your left and thrust your point in his face. If he displaces your thrust, then quickly take

the timing in front of you and strike low and high to his four openings.

If he seeks your openings like this, then hang and wind out of the Pflug to strike him

strongly from above. If he displaces this, then follow outward with your right leg,

dopelier (double) high, ajundier (mutate?) low and with that seek his openings as well.

The First Cut from Below 41/87

When you come to the closing with the opponent pay attention to whether he seems

high of low opposite you. If he goes high with his arms opposite you, then cut him from

below. If he rather goes low with his arms opposite you, then cut him from above.

If you then stand opposite him with your left foot forward and he cuts from below

towards you (as in illustration), then step back with your left foot and set the long edge

upon his sword. Thus you have countered the cut from below and may work whatever

you want low or high to his openings. Then immediately strike to his right ear with

crossed arms. If he displaces this, then yank back your sword to half blade and strike

again wherever you want. Then immediately wind with crossed arms and thrust your

point into his face again from your left to his right side.

The Other Cut from Below 42/88

When you both come together at the closing, take note of the openings at his body low

and high. If he then strikes high towards your head, cut in from below through his arm

(as in illustration).

If he cuts towards you from below, step with your left leg in front of his right and strike

the Zwirch with crossed arms to hit him at the right side of his head. Then spring to his

right side with your right foot out of the Zwirch and strike long as you move away from

him.

If he has struck away from you like this, then travel after him double with cuts and

strikes and strike with the long edge to the high opening.

If he strikes high towards you like this and you have leaned backwards, then step in

again with your left leg as you wind and hang up over your head with your blade on your

right side so that his strike goes away off of your blade. With that strike high to his

head.

A High Hanging from both Sides 43/89

When you come to the closing with the opponent, stand with your right foot forward and

hold your sword on your right side with your hilt in front of your head (as in illustration).

Follow outward with your left leg and wind your point into his face with crossed hands

out of the Hanging.

If he winds the point towards your face like this and you likewise stand opposite him in

the Hanging with your right set forward, then follow outward with your left leg and shove

out into the winding with the long edge to your right side with crossed hands. Let the

weak of your sword run and strike him high. If he displaces this, then Zwirch to his right

side. If he displaces this as well, then follow outward with your right leg and Zwirch to

the left side of his head.

If he Zwirches towards you on both sides like this, then set the Krump on his sword and

cut to his head.

Another High Hanging 44/90

When you come to the closing with the opponent, stand with your left foot forward with

crossed arms such that your point hangs towards the ground on your left side (as in

illustration). Step in with your right foot and wind your point into his face such that your

hilt stands in front of your head.

If he winds the point towards your face like this, then take his point away to your left

side with the short edge. Then follow outward with your right foot and cut him through

the head.

If he intends to cut you like this and you stand with your right foot forward, then set this

aside with your short edge. Then immediately follow outward with your left foot and cut

through his head also with the short edge. If he displaces this, then wind your pommel

over his right arm and with that turn to your left side. Then immediately pivot around

onto your right side. Thus you cut through his head.

The Prechfennster from Both Sides 45/91

It happens like this in the Prechfennster (Speaking Window): stand with your right foot

forward and hold your hilt in front of your head such that your thumbs are underneath,

the point is high on your right side, and you look out at the opponent between your arms

(as in left side of illustration). Drop the sword down on your right side as you step in

with your left foot and strike him powerfully to the head.

If he strikes high towards you like this and you likewise lie in the Prechfennster and

stand with the left foot forward, then displace the strike with your long edge with crossed

arms as you follow outward with your right foot. Then drop the short edge down and

strike on the left side of his head.

If he strikes towards you like this, set this aside with your short edge, follow outward

with your right leg and wind the short edge at his left ear.

Two Windings with Similar Free Points 46/92

It happens like this in the Winding: stand with your right foot forward such that your

short edge is wound opposite of you with the point in the opponent’s face (as in

illustration). Follow outward with your left leg, wind into the Krumphaw shooting the

short edge over his sword and then strike to his head with your long edge.

If you then also stand like this in the Winding with the right foot opposite him and he

shoots over you and strikes high, then let your wind run double and strike with the long

edge against his strike. Follow outward with the left foot and you may work from there

with strikes, thrusts, and cuts.

If he fires strikes and thrusts at you like this, then displace this with the Krieg (in-

fighting) and work with his Schwech (weak) and Sterck (strong), in the Vor (before) and

the Nach (after).

Two Winding In at the Sword 47/93

It happens like this with the Winding In: stand with your left foot forward and hold the

short edge opposite the opponent with crossed hands with your left hand over your right

arm (as in illustration). Wind through in the Rose and then immediately drop down at

your left side, step in with your right leg and wind towards his face.

If he then winds like this towards your face and you likewise stand opposite him in the

Winding with your right foot set forward, then wind your long edge on his long, drop

downward with your short edge at your right side, and step well in towards him in the

bind. Thus you will not become caught in the winding. Then immediately wind around

and through, invert your hand and grab around the pommel such that you stand in the

Einkhiren (Unicorn) and then stab with your point to his face or chest.

A Double Winding from which a Hanging Proceeds 48/94

It happens like this in the Winding: stand with your left foot forward and hold your sword

with crossed arms with the flat at your left leg such that the point stands opposite the

opponent (as in illustration). If he then intends to strike high towards your head, step in

with your right leg with the hilt in front of your head to displace his strike. Then spring

with your left leg behind his right and strike with the Creizhaw (Crossing Strike) to his

head.

If he strikes towards your high opening like this and you stand with your left foot

forward, displace his Creizhaw with your long edge, travel outward with your right foot,

and cut towards his head and body.

If he intends to cut towards you like this, then shove out the short and long against him

to work with the Winding to the waist and heart, from one opening to the other.

A Winding Aside from both free Right Sides 49/95

You come to the closing with the opponent in the Winding Aside and stand with your

right foot forward (as in illustration). Follow outward with your left leg, wind the half

edge downward, and shoot the long point into his face with extended arms.

Should you perceive this thrust and stand with your right forward, then set it aside, step

in with your left foot, and set the short edge Krump onto his sword. His thrust is

deflected like this.

If he deflects your thrust like this, wind aside and strike in over his arm to the right side

of his head.

If he strikes towards you like this, displace it and then immediately follow outward with

your right foot and strike with the short edge to his head.

If he strike towards you like this with short and long to your right side, displace this

likewise with short and long edges, then follow outward with your right foot and seek his

next opening.

A Thrust out of the Word “Inndes” (Simultaneously) 50/96

When you come to the closing with the opponent and he fires his long point against your

face or chest, step with your right leg opposite him and set the thrust aside with your

long edge (as in illustration). If you have then set his thrust aside like this, wind quickly

downward and change high again to the face. If he displaces this, then step in with your

left leg and strike with crossed arms to his right ear from above.

If he strike towards you like this and you stand with your right foot forward, then set it

back again and wind your point double to his face or chest. If he displaces this once

more, then strike into the Alber vom Tag (Fool from the Roof). If he then intends to

strike towards your high opening, wind out with crossed hands into the Versazung

(Parry Position), step in with your right foot and immediately wind and hang and strike

high to his head.